San Diego has its share of theater icons: The Old Globe’s Jack O’Brien and Craig Noel; La Jolla Playhouse’s Des McAnuff.

And on that list you can also add William Virchis.

As artistic director for Teatro Máscara Mágica, Virchis has been putting on diverse and culturally relevant productions since 1990. His credits include shows like “Zoot Suit” and “Real Women Have Curves.”

The director, who moved to Chula Vista in 1951, discusses his unique perspective in San Diego theater.

Q: Tell us about your version of “The Odd Couple.”

A: For the first time two Latinos will portray Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Oscar will be played by Paul Rodriguez and Felix will be played by Mike Gomez. These two actors will bring their own salsa to the roles!

Q: Why did you want to direct this play?

A: Neil Simon is a voice for all time. “The Odd Couple” is not a ‘60s museum piece as some would think, it is a play of yesterday, today and the future. Every culture has its “Odd Couple,” look within your own family, your workplace, your political organization, your place of worship. The play teaches us that we can agree to disagree and be loyal to our friends, no matter what. That’s the true testament of a culture of friendship.

Q: What is Teatro Máscara Mágica?

A: San Diego’s first multicultural, nonprofit theater company that believes all races, creeds and cultures should have the opportunity for artistic expression and experiences of the highest quality.

Q: Why is there a need for Teatro Máscara Mágica in San Diego?

A: Craig Noel, former artistic director of the Old Globe Theatre, saw a need for a theater of diversity in the early 1960s. As my mentor, he instilled in me a deeper passion, pride and commitment to my culture and its language. He said, “One day you will be the majority and you must instill a love of theater for the future Latinos and diverse cultures of San Diego. They are the future audiences of the city. Our voices need to be heard, our faces need to be seen, our songs need to be sung and our stories need to be told!”

Q: What are some of the most memorable shows you’ve directed?

A: “Selena Forever National Tour,” “Zoot Suit,” “Real Women Have Curves,” “Metropolis,” “Pippin,” “Tommy,” “Hair,” and “Fantasma.” All of these plays were Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival finalists.

Q: Do you remember the first show you ever saw? What inspired you to pursue a life in theater?

A: El Teatro Blanquita’s “La Carpa” in Mexico City when I was 5 years old and F Street Elementary School’s “The Christmas Carol.” My inspiration was my mother, who instilled the love of the spoken word and theater, the encouraging voice of my life. Long live moms!

Q: How have you seen theater in San Diego evolve over the years?

A: Evolution is a funny thing because by its own definition it means change. Some for the good, some for the bad, and some for the ugly. The good: more professional, higher theatrical values and better venues. The bad: tickets too expensive, too glossy, lack of training, lack of local artist opportunities, lack of diversity, not enough risk taking work, lack of development of playwrights. The ugly: losing audiences, young audiences not being cultivated, constant fundraising, rent too high for venues, lack of national state and local funding.

Q: Do you have a dream project?

A: My colleague Kent Brisby and I are developing a musical based on two icons of the Mexican Revolution, Pancho Villa and Emilio Zapata. Now that’s the real odd couple!

A: To be with the ones I love and enjoy all that San Diego has to offer. It’s at my front door, how lucky can one be?

What I love about Chula Vista . . .

The people. My family was on its way from Mexico to Los Angeles when we stopped in Chula Vista, at St. Rose of Lima Church to pray. My mother saw a house for rent across the street and said to my father, “We’re staying here!” My father commuted from L.A. and San Francisco for 30 years.